Quinoa Veg Khichadi (Step by Step Pics)

Quinoa (pronounced 'kinwa') is one of the healthiest foods, very rich in protein and is vegan.I have become a strong fan of this tiny seed with tail and have started incorporating this as much as possible to our tastes. Quinoa has a natural bitter coating of saponin which dissolves when quinoa is rinsed. The draining of water from quinoa reduces the nutty flavor. Quinoa flour can be easily added to many recipes like muffins, cakes, pancakes, crepes and much more. I have a few recipes that I tried with quinoa flour listed below and had been a hit at home. Please check at the end of this post for mor quinoa recipes, if interested.

This is a khichadi that I tried making with quinoa that you can prepare as a one pot meal, quick fixes. The paste that you make and add gives the extra punch to this khichadi unlike the veg pulao which has more of whole spices. Add your favorite veggies as per availability and make. The cooked quinoa has a cute tail which makes it distinct. There is nothing fancy about this khichadi,but the nutritive value is more than of a regular khichadi. You may not need any sides with this khichadi except for a papad or fryms. We paired this with raitha. Try and enjoy !!

Preparation time ~ 15 minutes

Cooking time ~ 30 minutes

Serves ~ 2

Author ~ Julie

Ingredients

to cook quinoa

quinoa 1/2 cup

water 3/4 cup

salt to taste

to make khichadi

ginger 1 tsp chopped

green chillies 2 chopped

onion 1 medium sized chopped

capsicum/ green bell pepper 1/3 cup chopped

tomato 1 chopped

green peas  2 tbsp 

carrot 1/4 cup cubed

cauliflower 1/4 cup cut small

potato 1 small cubed

beans 2 tbsp chopped

pav bhaji masala 1/2 tsp

coriander leaves 2 tbsp chopped

salt 

oil/ butter 2 tbsp

to make paste

kashmiri chilly powder1 tsp

cumin powder 1/4 tsp

garlic cloves 2

Method

• Wash the quinoa in a strainer under running water, else the quinoa may drain out. Then add this to a pressure cooker and add salt lightly and water. Cook for one whistle and wait till the pressure is released.
• Add the oil and add chopped ginger and green chillies. Saute for a minute. Then, toss in chopped onions and capsicum. Saute again for a minute.

                                                   

• Prepare a smooth paste using kashmiri chilly powder, cumin powder and garlic cloves. Add the chopped tomato and add the paste(There is an error in pic editing, it's written tomato paste). Give a quick stir and mix well.Cook covered till tomatoes are cooked and mushy.
• Then, add the chopped vegetables, combine well. Sprinkle few tbsp of water, add salt and cook covered for 5 minutes, check in between for moisture and drying up. Add water as needed to cook the veggies. 
• Finally, add the cooked quinoa along(discard the cooked water to reduce the nutty flavor). Mix well and cook covered for another two minutes. Wait till the moisture is dried completely.
• Garnish with  coriander leaves and serve warm with any of your fav sides or raitha & papad. I served with raitha.

NOTES

* You can add the cooked veg masala to the cooked quinoa in the cooker and cook for one more whistle too. Add half a cup of water too. But this gives a more flavourful taste than the cooker style.

* Add your desired vegetables as per availability and needs.

CHECK MORE QUINOA RECIPES

1. Quinoa Crepes
2. Quinoa Blueberry Pancakes
3. Quinoa Flour from Scratch
4. Quinoa Idlis
5. Quinoa Veg Pulao
6. Quinoa Mango Parfait
7. Quinoa Sago Kheer